Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Keep away from low-hanging branches and obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged pet waste and cat litter
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and film
- ✓Styrofoam packaging
- ✓General household refuse
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Place recyclables loosely in the cart; do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic liner bags
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Yard waste and dirt
- ✕Pet waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic, biodegradable, or compostable bags. Keep materials loose. No pet waste, dirt, rocks, or treated wood.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Tree branches (under 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, eggshells)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and cardboard (e.g., pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) Annual Clean-Up and two (2) large Appliance Disposal Vouchers per calendar year.
Placement
Place approved items at the curb by 4:00 AM on the morning of your scheduled pick-up date, ensuring they do not block sidewalks or traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (with voucher)
- ✓ Bagged miscellaneous household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Motor vehicle parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, asphalt, and tile
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
The Annual Clean-Up and two appliance vouchers are free. Additional bulky item disposal requires self-hauling to the MRF, where standard gate fees apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your normal collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage.
Tracy Disposal only observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Service is not delayed for other holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No 'Compostable' Bags Allowed
Even if a bag is explicitly marketed as 'biodegradable' or 'compostable,' Tracy Disposal strictly prohibits its use in the Green Cart. These materials do not break down efficiently in the local facility. Place your food scraps and yard waste directly into the cart loosely.
Pet Waste is Trash
While animal waste comes from living creatures, it is considered a biohazard for the commercial composting process. All pet waste must be securely bagged and placed in your Gray trash cart. Never put it in the Green or Blue carts.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Plastic liner bags tangle up and jam the sorting machinery at the Tracy Material Recovery Facility, causing system shutdowns and safety hazards. Always throw your recyclables loose into the Blue Cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryHoliday trees can be set on the curb for pickup on your scheduled trash day. Ensure all stands, tinsel, and decorations are removed. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half. Flocked and treated trees are accepted and will be separated at the Tracy MRF.
Spring
March to MayGet your garden ready for spring by visiting the Tracy Material Recovery Facility on MacArthur Drive. The MRF sells high-quality compost and wood chips at reduced rates, created from the community's green waste.
Year-Round
January to DecemberResidents are encouraged to utilize their Annual Clean-Up allowance for spring cleaning or fall decluttering. By calling Tracy Disposal in advance, you can responsibly dispose of bulky items at the curb without paying extra dump fees.
About Tracy Waste Management
Meeting California's SB 1383 Organics Mandate in Tracy
The City of Tracy and its franchised hauler, Tracy Disposal, have fully implemented organic waste collection to comply with California's SB 1383. To combat climate change and reduce landfill methane emissions, Tracy residents use their Green Cart for all yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. By diligently sorting items like meat bones, dairy, and coffee grounds into the organics bin, the community actively participates in a sustainable, closed-loop composting system.
Tracy Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
Unlike many municipalities that rely on distant landfills, Tracy boasts its own local Material Recovery Facility (MRF) on South MacArthur Drive. This facility processes the city's recyclables and yard waste, reducing the community's carbon footprint. Residents can visit the MRF to drop off excess waste, recycle mattresses, safely dispose of large appliances, and even purchase high-quality compost and wood chips derived from local green waste.
Free Appliance Disposal Vouchers
Disposing of bulky appliances can often be a hassle, but Tracy makes it easy and cost-effective. City residents who receive their garbage billing through the Tracy Finance Department are entitled to an Appliance Disposal Voucher every year. This voucher allows for the free disposal of up to two large household appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, or water heaters. You can drop these items off at the MRF or call Tracy Disposal to schedule a convenient curbside pickup.
The Automated Three-Cart System
To streamline neighborhood waste collection, Tracy Disposal utilizes an automated truck fleet combined with a color-coded three-cart system. Residents are issued a Gray cart for weekly garbage, a Green cart for weekly organic waste, and a Blue cart for bi-weekly single-stream recycling. Because the trucks use mechanical arms, it is crucial that residents place their carts at least 12 inches away from the curb and clear of parked cars, low-hanging branches, and fire hydrants by 4:00 AM on their service day.
Exclusive RV Dump Station for Residents
The City of Tracy offers a unique and highly valued amenity for its local outdoor enthusiasts: a free RV dump station located near Holly Drive and Larch Road. Access to this wastewater disposal site is strictly reserved for Tracy residents, prohibiting commercial haulers and out-of-town users. The station is open Monday through Friday and serves as an environmentally safe way to dispose of RV wastewater without impacting the local stormwater system.
Drop-off Facilities
Tracy Material Recovery Facility & Solid Waste Transfer
30703 South MacArthur Drive, Tracy, CA 95377
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of old appliances like a water heater or refrigerator in Tracy?
City of Tracy residents billed for garbage can dispose of two large appliances per calendar year for free using an Appliance Disposal Voucher. Call Tracy Disposal at (209) 835-0601 to schedule a curbside pickup, or drop the appliance off directly at the Material Recovery Facility.
What holidays delay my trash pickup in Tracy?
Tracy Disposal only observes Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after one of these holidays, service is delayed by one day for the rest of that week. Normal collection happens on all other holidays.
Can I use biodegradable bags for my food waste in the green cart?
No, Tracy Disposal strictly prohibits any kind of plastic, biodegradable, or compostable bags in the Green Cart. Food scraps and yard trimmings must be placed directly into the cart loosely to prevent contamination at the commercial composting facility.
How often are the different carts collected, and what time should they be out?
Garbage (Gray Cart) and organic waste (Green Cart) are collected weekly. Recycling (Blue Cart) is collected every other week. All carts must be placed at the curb by 4:00 AM on your scheduled service day, at least 12 inches away from the curb and other obstacles.